Rework

Unlike some tech giants that have notoriously pulled the plug on beloved products (remember Google's sudden discontinuation of Google Reader?), 37signals takes a vastly different approach with their pledge to support ALL of their products for the life of the internet.This week host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the co-founders of 37signals, to explore the importance of longevity and trust in the SaaS industry.Drawing parallels to iconic brands like Porsche and Rolex, Jason and David take a deep dive into the challenges of product discontinuation and its impact on loyal customers. From Ta-da List to Basecamp, listen in as they reveal the principles that drive their support decisions and why longevity matters when building a brand that customers will rely on for decades.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeShow Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly introduces the podcast and the topic of 37signals' core principle to maintain its products until the end of the intern

In today's fast-paced information-saturated world, advice is abundant, but it can be difficult to determine which sources are truly reliable.This week, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the co-founders of 37signals, join host Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the challenges of navigating the ever-growing sea of advice and how to choose the right guidance for your journey.Listen in as they share their thoughts on the expiration date of advice, the dangers of following someone else's prescribed path, and the value of trusting your own instincts.Watch the Full Episode on VideoShow Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly opens the show and introduces listeners to the topic of finding reliable business advice in today’s digital age. [00:40] - Jason shares why he wrote Advice Expires and why he and David are the wrong people to ask for advice about starting a business. [02:14] - David shares how the Internet's craving for content leads to conflicting advice and the value of trusting your own instincts.[04:16] - I

You’ve no doubt heard the 37signals team talking about leaving the cloud. Well, now the transition is complete!In this episode of Rework, 37signals co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson and Director of Operations Eron Nicholson sit down with host Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the unexpected speed of the move, the decisions, the hurdles they faced, and the behind the scenes of the meticulous process of moving their major applications, including those that had never before been run outside the cloud.  Tune in as they share the secrets behind their successful approach and the unexpected trick that allowed them to tackle individual components without risking major disruptions. Plus, they address questions from listeners, covering topics such as backups, physical resets, and the future of their infrastructure. Listen in for an eye-opening conversation that challenges the prevailing narratives of the cloud era and delves into the untapped potential of running your own infrastructure. Show Notes:  [00:00] - Kimberly sits

This week, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, join host Kimberly Rhodes to answer listener questions from the recent episode about Two-Person Teams. They tackle topics ranging from two-person team collaboration techniques to their innovative approach to team cooldown periods and the benefits for individuals and the overall project workflow. Listen in as they discuss their journey in refining the on-call process and the power of "spring cleaning" to address unresolved issues. Tune in to this episode for valuable advice based on questions asked by listeners like you.Show Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly dives into today’s episode with more listener questions sourced from various platforms beginning with Kenneth from LinkedIn and his question about how a two-person team can be resilient to vacation, sickness, and turnover.  [00:42] - Jason shares how having multiple two-person teams and time-boxed cycles allows for handling absences. [02:52] - "Scope is this magical flexi

When should small business owners start paying attention to AI? Is immediate action necessary, or are we already behind? In today's episode, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with host Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the landscape of AI and its implications for businesses. From the impact on small business owners to the ever-present question of falling behind, David and Jason explore the potentials and limitations of AI and its present and future impact on how we use technology. Tune in to learn how Jason and David are currently using AI and the importance of curiosity and safety when implementing AI tools in your business.  Show Notes: [00:00] - Kimberly introduces the topic of AI and its relevance to small business owners.[00:41] - Jason emphasizes curiosity over fear and reassures listeners that they are not falling behind in the world of AI.[01:26] - David acknowledges the hype and FOMO surrounding AI but highlights how easy it is to get started.[02:00] - The incredib

Time is a valuable resource that often leaves us longing for more hours to conquer our ever-expanding to-do lists. The relentless stream of emails, meetings, and responsibilities can easily hijack our concentration, reminding us that while we have 24 hours at our disposal, we don't have 24 hours of attention a day.In this episode of the Rework podcast, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with Kimberly Rhodes to present the concept of "bucketing" your time to make the most of your valuable hours. Tune in as Jason and David share their personal experiences with effective time bucketing, how they've successfully applied this strategy at 37signals, and the unique features offered by HEY, that allow users to manage their email within designated time buckets.Listen in to learn about the transformative power of time bucketing and escape the chaotic distractions for more control over your schedule, enhanced productivity, and a more balanced approach to work. Sho

It's been more than seven months since Elon Musk purchased Twitter. Since then, a reported 80% of the company has been let go, reducing their staff from just under 8,000 employees to around 1,500. With all that turmoil, many believed that Twitter would fail completely or stop working, but Twitter's still up!Today, host Kimberly Rhodes, Jason Fried, and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down to delve into the aftermath of Elon's controversial acquisition of Twitter, the surprises and lessons learned from this transformative event, and an exploration of the question, how many people do you really need to run your company effectively?Tune in as they share insights into their own experiences at 37signals and offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business owners on the impact of Twitter's restructuring.Listen in as Jason and David discuss the resilience of Twitter, their initial predictions for the company, and the evolving dynamics of company size and efficiency. Show Notes:  [00:00] - Kimbe

In a time when many companies are disregarding profitability and spending recklessly, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson have taken a different approach at 37signals. They believe that caring about costs is a timely concern and a fundamental principle for running a successful small business.In this episode of the “Rework” podcast, they sit down with Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the critical importance of cost management in today's business landscape.From reevaluating software subscriptions to establishing fixed pricing models, listen in as Jason and David share their proactive approach to cost management. They discuss strategies for navigating the dangers of unchecked expenses and eliminating unnecessary expenditures and their detrimental effects on a company’s long-term viability. Tune in as Jason and David share their practical insights and hard-won wisdom for building a sustainable AND profitable business in any economic climate. Show Notes:  [00:00] - Kimberly introduces the episode and opens tod

If you've been following along with the podcast, you've heard the mention of two-person teams and how 37signals makes the most of its software features and productivity with just two people working together—one programmer and one designer. In this episode of the Rework podcast, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with Kimberly Rhodes to dive deeper into the concept of two-person teams and share valuable insights on the benefits, challenges, and strategies behind their unique approach.Listen in as Jason and David share the importance of short-term cycles, the significance of building their own tools for maximum efficiency, and how these principles shape their company's operations. They also discuss the expansion of two-person teams into other areas of the organization and the limitations of working as a team of one. Tune in to discover how the power of two can revolutionize teamwork and productivity.Show Notes:  [00:00] - Today, Jason Fried and David Heinemeie

On the previous episode of the Rework podcast, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, joined host Kimberly Rhodes to answer listener questions and share their insights on various topics such as project ownership, attracting talent, and building a successful team. This week, they return to address one question that deserved its own episode.Tune in as they reflect on a significant reset that occurred at 37signals in 2021 when many people left the company simultaneously due to a "no politics on work forums" stance. They discuss how they dealt with the high turnover rate and how that pivotal moment became the catalyst that caused them to reassess and make necessary changes to their company culture.  Plus, what they learned about the importance of making bold moves to drive progress and overcome stagnation.Show Notes:  [00:15] - Kimberly shares a listener question from a cardiac surgeon, Jeffrey Gibson, about the employee resignations at 37signals in 2021 when they implemente

On last week's Rework podcast, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, joined host Kimberly Rhodes to answer listener questions about their approach to design, decision-making, and more.Today, they return to tackle more listener questions, covering a diverse range of topics such as delegating projects, hiring, and remote work.Listen in as they discuss their strategies for helping team members take ownership of their work and their tips on deploying projects. They also offer advice on attracting and retaining the right talent and discuss the role of communication and culture in building a successful team.Show Notes:  [00:26] - Sarah McKenzie asks for tips on delegating projects rather than tasks and helping team members take ownership of their work areas as she wants to move in this direction with her small team.[01:23] - Jason explains how Basecamp delegates projects instead of tasks. In contrast, team members are given a rough general idea of the project and some ideas for th

In this episode of Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, join host Kimberly Rhodes to answer questions posed by Rework listeners. Listen in as they share their insights and experiences in running a successful software company by answering questions from podcast listeners on topics such as 37signals' approach to design, decision-making processes, product management, and balancing managerial roles and responsibilities.Tune in to hear their unique perspectives on these key aspects of building a successful software company.Show Notes:  [00:23] - Noel asks David and Jason about their philosophy on design systems and using components instead of reinventing the wheel every time. [01:01] - Jason explains that 37signals' website is a collection of ideas. The product itself is their design system. [03:07] - As with Basecamp and Hey, design consistency can emerge naturally.[03:30] - David shares that large organizations typically use design systems to standardize processes

In this episode of Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, join host Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the power of taking sabbaticals as business owners.Jason recently returned to work after taking his first sabbatical in nearly 23 years. He and David share their experiences and insights on the benefits of taking extended breaks from work. They cover the challenges of stepping away from a business you've built, the importance of trusting your team to handle things in your absence, and the value of returning to work with a fresh perspective. Listen in to hear their practical advice for business owners considering taking a sabbatical and the positive impact time away can have on both individuals and the company.Show Notes:  [00:43] - Jason shares why he took his first sabbatical in nearly 23 years and how disconnecting completely from work gave him a new perspective. [01:49] - David shares his forced sabbatical experience when he had to move to Denmark. He shares his opinion t

In October 2022, 37signals announced they would transition off cloud services in a post titled "Why We're Leaving the Cloud."  Despite the advantages of the cloud, the downsides were too significant for the company. In this follow-up episode to Leaving the Cloud on REWORK, co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson and Director of Operations Eron Nicholson discuss the progress 37signals has made since they decided to leave the cloud. Listen in as they delve into the pros and cons of using the cloud versus owning your hardware and some of the misconceptions people have about cloud costs and expertise. Tune in as the pair shares insights from their experience running web applications at scale and offer advice, tips, and tools for startups and businesses looking to optimize their infrastructure. Join the discussion as they explore the importance of getting real about the costs of the cloud for small businesses.Show Notes:  [00:49] - David reflects on the progress made since the announcement to transition

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, advocate for taking extended breaks from work, as outlined in their book "It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work." While this practice is relatively common in many parts of the world, it's less common in North America.In this episode of Rework, host Kimberly Rhodes is joined by Jeff Hardy, a programmer at 37signals, as he shares his experience taking a one-month sabbatical and discusses the benefits of stepping away from work to refresh your mind.Tune in as Jeff offers advice on establishing boundaries and disconnecting from work while on vacation to maintain a healthy work-life balance and tips for smoothly transitioning back into work after an extended absence.Show Notes:  [00:47] - Jeff introduces himself and how his role in product development at 37signals has evolved over the last 15 years. [01:29] - Jeff shares why you need to be in the right mindset to avoid burnout and remain effective in your work.[04:02] - Learn fro

Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering several benefits, such as increased flexibility and the ability to work anywhere globally. However, there are some challenges that come with remote work and it’s certainly not for all companies. In this episode of the Rework podcast, 37signals co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss these issues and how they've overcome them from their book, Rework.They share insights on how to work together across different time zones, ways to stay connected while working remotely, and the benefits of remote work for both employees and employers. Listen in to find out what remote work has to offer, along with its challenges and benefits, from two seasoned advocates.Show Notes:  [00:36] - 37signals is as remote as they've ever been. [01:02] - The challenges of time zones in a remote work environment, especially when training or mentoring new employees. [02:22] - Jason discusses the importance of scheduling and pairing employee

Writing is crucial for communication and collaboration in both remote and in-person organizations.But how do you find and hire great writers? Today, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down to share why writing is at the heart of the success of 37signals and why they believe it's essential for every employee to be a skilled writer, regardless of their title or role.  Listen in as they walk us through the process they use to "Hire Great Writers" from their book, Rework. Join us to learn about the critical role that writing plays in collaboration, clarifying ideas, and unlocking solutions to the problems that have been keeping you stuck. Plus, discover how the developers at Basecamp and Hey are using writing to showcase their skills and share the solutions to their challenges. Show Notes:  [00:37] - Jason shares why the cover letter is the most crucial aspect of the hiring process at 37signals.  [01:34] - David shares how writing works to both set the tone for collaboration and as a &apo

"Everyone should manage themselves" has been a core principle at 37signals from day one and has continued to be key as the company has expanded. Today, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down to discuss why it’s essential to the success of your company to bring on board self-sufficient employees who require minimal supervision in what they refer to as "Managers of One" from their book, Rework. Listen in as they provide tips on identifying such individuals during the hiring process, using Basecamp's features to replace what managers do, and the fundamental characteristics of a great "Manager of One."Show Notes:  [00:42] - "Everyone should manage themselves": A 37signals mantra from day one. [02:12] - Establishing a culture where there is no need for managers.[04:03] - David shares two examples of how using Basecamp's Automated Check-ins helps replace what managers do. [05:12] - Jason shares the behind-the-scenes of using the work to find the employees

37signals has undergone some name changes since its inception over 20 years ago: starting as 37signals in 1999, then changing to Basecamp in 2014, before switching back to 37signals in 2022. Today, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down to uncover the story behind the name 37signals, the reasoning behind the name changes, and the impact a name has on a business as we discuss what's in a name. Show Notes:  [00:46] - Jason connects extraterrestrial intelligence to the name 37signals.[01:56] - The out-of-the-park success that prompted a reassessment of the company's diversification. [04:07] - Do we really need all this? The stress (and necessary decisions) that grew out of success.  [05:54] - How pride in their work led Jason and David to downsize their product line. [07:56] - Jason shares the behind-the-scenes story of the 2014 meeting that led to sun-setting their other products to focus on Basecamp (which is still in operation after 19 years).[10:04] - David shares the lightbulb moment he

Are you working over 40 hours a week while putting your personal life on hold?That's a common trap entrepreneurs, and executives often fall into while striving for success in their careers. It's also the fast track to sabotage your performance and drive yourself into burnout. It's time to re-evaluate your priorities and find a healthier balance.Today, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down to discuss why "8’s Enough, 40's Plenty" from their book, It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work.Listen in as they walk us through how shutting down the laptop and disconnecting from work at the end of the day can actually help you prioritize your time. Discover how incorporating an 8-8-8 formula and pursuing passions outside of the office will enhance your overall well being and boost your productivity and performance on the job.Show Notes:  [00:48] - Jason shares the tech problem of scope that leads to employee burnout. [02:09] - David shares the American habit of working excessi